HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

A powerhouse in the education reform movement has joined K12 Inc., the nation’s leading provider of online curriculum and school programs for students in kindergarten through high school.

Dr. Charles A. “Tony” Bennett—who has more than three decades of experience in school management, strategic planning, and operations—has been named Senior Vice President, Academics and External Relations. As one of the nation’s foremost experts in education policy, he will manage and implement a diverse portfolio of initiatives and programs that support, measure, track and ultimately improve student academic achievement and growth across K12-powered schools.

Dr. Bennett began his career as a high school science teacher and rapidly ascended to leadership roles in two of the country’s pioneering education reform states: Florida and Indiana. He served as Commissioner of Education in Florida before starting TBX2, Inc./Education Reform Strategies, a consulting company that focuses on supporting education reform across the country.

“To better support students, we’re committed to creating a team of world-class educators and executives who are devoted to innovation in education,” said Nate Davis, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the K12 Inc. Board of Directors. “Tony’s unique level of expertise in advancing academic growth, public policy, and human capital management will help ensure we’re continuing to provide the kind of experience that K12-powered families expect and deserve.”

Prior to TBX2, Inc., Dr. Bennett served as State Superintendent in Indiana. During his tenure, the state saw record high school graduation rates and participation and success rates in Advanced Placement courses and exams; student achievement on the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) assessment rose dramatically; and improvement in the state’s National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) results was ranked among the top three in the United States. During this time, Dr. Bennett also launched one of the most expansive school voucher programs and developed one of the top-rated educator effectiveness initiatives in the nation.

“I have dedicated most of my personal and professional life to educating students. And it seems that my past experiences have all prepared me for this moment,” said Dr. Bennett. “I couldn’t be more proud to join K12 at this exciting time as we work together to chart the future of education.”

Dr. Bennett previously held roles in Indiana as School Corporation Superintendent for Greater Clark County Schools and Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Operations at New Albany Floyd County Schools. He also served on the board of the Council of Chief State School Officers, the governing board of the Partnership for the Assessment for Readiness for College and Career (PARCC), and was a founding member and former chair of Chiefs for Change.

Dr. Bennett holds a doctoral degree in education and a superintendent license from Spalding University. He earned his certification in secondary administration and supervision, a master’s degree in secondary education, and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University Southeast.

About K12

K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) takes a personalized approach to education by removing barriers to learning, reaching students where they are, and providing innovative, high-quality online and blended education solutions, curriculum, and programs to charter schools, public school districts, private schools, and families. In total, this work serves more than 70 public and private schools, more than 2,000 school districts, and students in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The company, which has delivered millions of courses over the past decade, is taking a leadership role in career readiness education through K12-powered Destinations Career Academies and Programs which combine traditional high school academics with Career Technical Education (CTE). K12 is a proud sponsor of the Foundation for Blended and Online Learning, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap between the pace of technology in daily life and the pace of change in education. More information can be found at , , , and .

View source version on businesswire.com: